Title: Torn

By: Kim Johnston

Chapter 4: Toad

Todd Tolansky known to most everyone as Toad due to his mutanage, which more less is to be a human like well frog, was never one for friends. He didn't need them! Who did? They were just annoying people who... were there for you and helped you and... God he wanted friends!

Todd sat under the bleachers and watched the people above with a hint of resentment. He was a all around nice guy pretty much... but his mutanage wasn't very attractive. Unless of course you still believe kissing a frog will turn them into a prince.

The girls ran from him, the jocks picked on him. Hell the good doers even said stuff about him! No one care about him. But as I've already said... he's a nice guy. He did well in school and hated to go home.

His home... he didn't have one really. He slept out on benches or in abandoned places. His parents hated him and he only went there when he knew a teacher or caseworker would be stopping by. He then had to get cleaned up and acted like his life was great... It was most definitely all a act.

He stole to eat and it wasn't like the people he stole from noticed, hell they carried 2 wallets full of cash! What was one 'misplaced'?

He turned away as one of the girls in a skirt stood up and he could see straight up her skirt. He was shy when it came to girls, never being around them much and all. He seen a wallet and flicked his tongue out gathering in and then counting the cash. Well enough to eat for a week. He headed away as the team made a touch down.

"Hey frogy." A voice called out and he turned to see one of the more aggressive teasers staring at him. His girlfriend hung at his arm, both drunk. "Just wondering, was your mom the frog or your dad?"

"I was gonna ask you the same question." He said flatly and turned 'walking' off.

"Hey, get your fagot ass back here."

"No thanks, I don't go that way." Todd waved as he picked up speed knowing that the girl couldn't hold him off with her pleads. He turned as he heard the slap and seen the girl sitting on the ground near tears. He was pissed. He never had a girlfriend but he knew damn well if he ever did he'd never lay a hand on her. It wasn't right. This guy had friends and the girl and how did he act? No way.

Todd jumped back over and in a sort of grace landed a kick with his powerful legs and sent the guy flying. He watched as he moaned and his head fell to one side. "You ok, yo?" Todd asked the confused and scared girl.

"Y-yeah." She muttered and backed off at his hand. "Fine." She jumped up and ran over to the guy. He was out and so was Todd. He did not need the police on his case.

Todd Tolansky, sighed as he headed down the street, his hands in his pockets and head down. "Hello, Todd." A female voice said. He blinked turning around to find a blue woman with orange hair standing in the alley he had just passed. He hadn't seen her there before and with hair like that it'd be hard to miss her.

"Yo, who are you?" He asked skeptically.

"A mutant, much like yourself." She shrugged and walked closer to him. "My ability is to change shapes, as I can already tell yours."

"Yeah..." He looked the blue lady over, this had to be a joke... right?

"So Todd, tired of the 'normal' people pushing you around?" She asked with a smile off flashy white teeth.

"Yeah."

"Tired of living on the streets and not having any friends?"

"Maybe." He shrugged. "What's it to you, yo?"

"I just happen to want to help YOU Todd. That's what I do. I find young mutant's like yourself and help them. My name is Raven, but you can call me Mystique. I run a boarding house here, and..." She changed into the principle of Bayville High. "serve as a role model to all the students."

Todd blinked, she was serious? "And you'd let me join? For a fee or what?"

"No fee, just services when needed."

"What type yo?"

"You're given abilities. We, myself and team, believe in the war that is coming, we must fight so as not to be over taken by the 'normal' people." Mystique held out her hand and Todd looked at it for a while before shaking it.

"Very good choice." She smiled. "Now, lets go get some paper work filled out so you can stay with us."

-Brotherhood-

Todd looked over the place and smiled, he now had a real home. "Now for the rules Todd." Raven smirked. "You will listen and do what I say when I say with no questions. You will clean yourself up and you will not bother me with any problems your teenage mind, or body, may have. I will not tolerate any failure to comply with my rules. Trust me, I am not a lady to make mad." She narrowed her eyes, now in her blue natural form. "Do you understand this?"

Todd nodded numbly. Maybe this place wasn't going to be so great after all.

"Now, there are rooms upstairs and I don't care which you take, just don't go inside mine. I expect you to take a shower and change out of those... Rags." She snarls her nose at his clothes. "Training is at night, chores during the day. You'll have school as well. Don't expect special treatment either."

"Yes, ma'am." Todd muttered. She left going into the living room.

"Hey. Name's Lance." A young man said coming over, he had walked down the steps earlier. "She's actually not that bad, once she has a few ounces in'er." He adds with a snicker. "I'll show you around, ok?"

Todd nodded and smiled slightly. Maybe she hadn't lied about the friend thing? "So how long you been here yo?"

"2 weeks." Lance sighed. "What's your name?"

"Todd, but you can call me Toad."

A/N: Ok so he's not a main character but I don't care. Lol. I wanted to do his story. Well told in my head. Though he did steal and he did want friends and some other stuff was true too! Lol. Hope you enjoyed! Love you all review please! Kim